PADI Open Water Diving Course in Cartagena
Cartagena, Colombia

PADI Open Water Diving Course

Outty Ranking 66 4.8 · 16 traveler reviews72 hoursFrom $820
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Outty Ranking

66/100

Solid Choice. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.8/5

Based on 16 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is PADI Open Water Diving Course worth booking?

PADI Open Water Diving Course is a 72-hour experience in Cartagena, Colombia, from $820 per person. It scores 66 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 16 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
66 / 100
Rating
4.8/5 (16)
Duration
72 hours
From
$820 per person

The BUZOS DE BARU dive center is a PADI RESORT with more than 20 years of continuous operation in the city, positioned as one of the best diving schools in Cartagena. We have qualified PADI instructors, and trained perso

What you get

  • Use of SCUBA equipment
  • Snacks

About this experience

The BUZOS DE BARU dive center is a PADI RESORT with more than 20 years of continuous operation in the city, positioned as one of the best diving schools in Cartagena. We have qualified PADI instructors, and trained personnel for teaching and diving guidance We have a great infrastructure in diving equipment, compressor, boats, training pool, and an excellent team ready to help and accompany you in your first steps of this beautiful activity.

What's included

Included

  • Use of SCUBA equipment
  • Snacks

Where it starts and ends

Meeting point

Cartagena

enter the yacht club and ask for baru divers

Hotel pickup

No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

Ends at

enter the yacht club and ask for baru divers

Before you book

Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Languages
en, es
Ticket
Mobile Only
Runs on
Every day
Group size
Up to 15 travelers per booking
Operated by
Buzos de Baru

Know before you go

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Photos

PADI Open Water Diving Course in Cartagena, photo 2PADI Open Water Diving Course in Cartagena, photo 3PADI Open Water Diving Course in Cartagena, photo 4PADI Open Water Diving Course in Cartagena, photo 5PADI Open Water Diving Course in Cartagena, photo 6PADI Open Water Diving Course in Cartagena, photo 7

What travelers are saying

Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 16 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

Knowledge and storytelling

2 mentions

Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

Photo opportunities

2 mentions

The views and photo stops come up again and again.

Traveler reviews

16 verified traveler reviews for PADI Open Water Diving Course. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

5 star
15
4 star
0
3 star
0
2 star
0
1 star
1
Sort
stephaniehW912GH · March 2026

Amazing experience. Instructor, and entire staff, were wonderful.

Alberto, my instructor, and the entire staff were wonderful. My assigned fellow student "buddy" and I were both a quite nervous, but Alberto was patient and kind, and made learning scuba an unforgettable experience. We are both going for the Advanced Open Water before completing my vacation. Definitely recommend!

via Tripadvisor

I4076VFbradg · September 2025

Do it!

I had an incredible experience completing my Open Water Scuba Certification with Buzos de Barú. Alvaro was amazing—he truly has the heart of a teacher. His knowledge, patience, and ability to explain everything clearly made the entire process both enjoyable and confidence-building. I always felt safe, supported, and encouraged every step of the way. If you’re considering getting certified, don’t hesitate to book with Buzos de Barú. Highly recommend!

via Tripadvisor

charlesbY1828AA · February 2025

Best experience traveling ever!

Never been scuba diving before, kind of a last minute decision to tack onto my solo Colombia trip. Highly communicative, made it very easy to complete pre-work, pool training at hotel went flawlessly, Alvarro is one of the most natural teachers I have ever met, scuba notwithstanding. Explained things very clearly and easily, made it simple and helped prevent panic when conducting the generally more difficult parts of training like recovering regulator and mask. The actual open water dives were incredible as well. Alvarro again came in clutch by making the training so easy to understand and grasp quickly. Extremely patient and willing to explain things multiple times. The underwater experience was magical, coral and fish were incredible. Could not recommend this company and this instructor more! Absolutely world class experience.

via Tripadvisor

Craig_S · July 2023

Highlight of my time in Cartagena

An absolute amazing experience, our dive instructor was extremely attentive, patient and thorough. We all went from novices to feeling like competent divers. The water, wrecks and reefs were all beautiful! You will not be disappointed with your booking!

via Viator

MsAlabama1 · June 2023

Buzos de Baru: THE dive company to see Cartagena’s sea life!

I would definitely recommend Buzos de Baru to anyone looking to get certified or to dive with while in Cartagena. Having read all the wonderful reviews, I bought my husband Buzos de Baru’s open diver course for his 40th birthday. Juan was amazing to liaise with. He got back to me quickly, was super professional, and he put together our itineraries flawlessly. My husband was able to complete his coursework from home in the States so that when we arrived in Cartagena, he got straight into the diving. His instructor, Alvaro, did an amazing job of teaching him all the fundamentals. Fluent in both English and Spanish, Alvaro made my husband very comfortable and safe during the dives. Now my husband is addicted to diving. I also joined a group of divers later in the week with dive master Santiago. Santiago did a great job of assessing each diver’s level and knowing how to make everyone safe while ensuring they had a great time. My husband and I also received photos and videos of our dives to remember them forever. Thank you Juan, Alvaro, and Santiago. Nos vemos pronto para bucear otra vez con Buzos de Baru!

via Tripadvisor

Good to know

Duration
72 hours
Free cancellation
Up to 24h before
Minimum age to book
12+
Availability
Bookable today
Runs on
Every day
Hotel pickup
No pickup, meet at start point
Booked in 30 days
6
Verdict
Solid Choice

Why this scores 66

The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

Traveler sentiment (30% weight)79
Review evidence (18% weight)38
Booking momentum (14% weight)31
Value for money (12% weight)82
Listing quality (10% weight)82
Local standing (8% weight)59
Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

PADI Open Water Diving Course: questions travelers ask

Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Cartagena.

How much does PADI Open Water Diving Course cost?

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Prices start at $820 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Cartagena usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

How long does PADI Open Water Diving Course take?

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Plan for about 72 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Cartagena is not rushed.

Is PADI Open Water Diving Course worth it?

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It holds an Outty Ranking of 66 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 16 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Cartagena, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

Can I cancel or reschedule PADI Open Water Diving Course?

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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

Is PADI Open Water Diving Course suitable for kids and families?

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The operator sets a minimum age of 12. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 72-hour running time when deciding.

How far in advance should I book PADI Open Water Diving Course?

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Around 6 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Cartagena can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

What should I bring or wear?

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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Cartagena and add a light layer if any part of the 72-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

Where does PADI Open Water Diving Course start and how do I get there?

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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Cartagena within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

What are the best things to do in Cartagena?

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On Outty we rank every Cartagena experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Cartagena Street Food Tour: 10 Local Tastings in the Walled City, Historic Center & Getsemaní Shared Tour in Cartagena, Cartagena Cooking Class with Local Chef (Small Group Experience). The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

When is the best time to visit Cartagena?

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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

How many days do you need in Cartagena?

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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

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